FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carol Andersen
(503) 531-3140
carol@racecenter.com
PACIFIC CREST COMES FULL CIRCLE
Just announced is the addition of a full Marathon to the Pacific Crest
events to be held on Saturday, June 29 in Sunriver, OR.
Each year athletes from across the country converge on the resort
community of Sunriver, Oregon to participate in the Pacific Crest events,
which include a nationally recognized Half Ironman Triathlon, along with
an Endurance Duathlon, and Half-Marathon. The event as a whole went
through a participation boom in 2001 with both the Half Marathon and the
Triathlon nearly doubling in size. This boom is expected to continue
again this year with the anticipated athlete participation to reach 2,500.
"The marathon will really bring Pacific Crest full circle," remarks Race
Director Carol Andersen. "With the addition of the full marathon, the
Pacific Crest weekend has really blossomed into something that
epitomizes endurance sports. We have received a great deal of requests
from athletes to add a marathon as part of the weekend and it wasn't
until recently that we were able to make this a reality".
The marathon course will consist of two loops on the widely paved trails
that circle the community of Sunriver, located 15 miles south of Bend,
OR. "The course is one of the most scenic you'll find anywhere," adds
Course Director Jon Atherton. "We have people that come back year after
year to enjoy the beauty of Central Oregon, and we are excited to add
an other event that will draw a more broad regional and national audience".
The Pacific Crest Weekend of Events begins on Friday, June 28 with a
Sports Expo and participant packet pickup in the Sunriver Country Mall
from 9:00am to 8:00pm. Also included in Friday's festivities are music
and food booths, a Kid's Splash-Pedal-n-Dash (mini-triathlon for kid'.s
ages 12 and under), and a Pasta Feed from 5:30pm until 8:30pm.
On Saturday at 6:00am, buses will begin transporting the Half Ironman
and Endurance Duathlon competitors to Cultus Lake. Beginning at 10:00
am the triathletes will complete a 1.2-Mile swim in Cultus Lake, a
56-Mile Bike from Cultus Lake to the Three Rivers Elementary School in
Sunriver, and a 13.1-Mile Run through the scenic trails circling the
community. The duathletes will complete the 56-Mile Bike and the
13.1-Mile Run and will begin at 10:00am while the triathlon competitors are
completing the swim course.
The Marathon (26.1-Miles) and the Half-Marathon (13.1-Miles) will start
at 7:15am and 8:00am respectfully, in front of Sentra.s Restaurant on
Ponderosa and Beaver Dr. near the entrance to Sunriver, and will finish
in the Sunriver Country Mall. The finish line festivities will include
music, booths, food and fun, with a Post Race BBQ dinner, beer garden, and
live entertainment from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.
"I guess it is really all about endurance sports", remarks Andersen.
"From the recreational athlete to the serious competitor, we have
something to offer everyone, which is what makes Pacific Crest so great.
Our goal is to host a full marathon that will also gain notoriety and the
attention of athletes across the country".
NOTE: The Half Ironman Triathlon is the USA Triathlon Pacific NW Region
Long Course Championship and also a Long Course World Championship
Qualifier. USA Triathlon is the governing body of the sport of triathlon
and duathlon in the U.S. For more information about USAT visit
www.usatriathlon.org.
MEDIA: Media wishing to cover any of the 2002 Pacific Crest Events are
urged to call Carol Andersen at (503) 531-3140 or email
carol@racecenter.com. More information and all race results from last year
can be found at www.racecenter.com.
SPONSORS: Sunriver Vacation Rental Managers Assn, Pepsi of Bend, KTVZ
NBC Bend, Bend Bulletin, Bridgeport Brewing Company, Pace Setter Northwest,
Clif Bar, TIMEX, Cultus Lake Resort, RaceCenter Northwest Magazine
# # #
|
